Cheapside

Wonderful to see dynamic supermarket firm Sainsbury's poach Erica Zimmer, principal private secretary of Trade Secretary Patricia Hewitt, to be its new head of public affairs. If anyone knows how to work competition rules allowing Sainsbury's to increase, say, its number of local convenience stores it will be Zimmer. No need to sponsor a table at Labour Conference for £5,000 now.

Jim jams

Talking of Hewitt's staff, what are we to make of her special adviser, Jim Godfrey? On Friday Cheapside rang up for serious banter, only to be drowned out by satanic power chords. Seems Private Godfrey was testing out Gibson electric guitars on Charing Cross Road. Godfrey watchers will recall that our efforts to call him late last June were scuppered because he took a trip to the Glastonbury festival.

Fee for all

And now for the curious tale of the billionaire Hinduja brothers and their former PR Patrick Robertson. Robertson was a founder of the extreme Europhobe Bruges Group and former minder to Sir James Goldsmith. He also once looked after the Hindujas, before the infamous passport affair with Peter Mandelson came to light. Anyway, it was Robertson who set up a story in the Sunday Times three years ago, written by former political editor Michael Prescott, claiming that the Hindujas were negotiating to buy the Express Group from Lord Hollick's United News Media. For this Robertson was paid £20,000. It seemed, though, that £20,000 was not enough. Extraneous fees to the tune of £15,000 were demanded by Robertson. A court case was recently heard with Prescott, now too working in PR, a star witness. Seems that our friend Robertson came off second best. And the twist in the tale? If only we could publish it.

Sales pitch

Is history about to repeat itself? Sam Hammam, the Lebanese businessman, has now been given the go ahead to build a new 30,000-seat stadium for Cardiff City, the football club he owns, and a new athletics stadium. For stumping up £38m to build both stadia, the eccentric chairman will be given the freehold of Cardiff's old club and a site nearby where 400,000 sq ft of retail will go. Some senior figures in Wales are concerned that now the retail site, which is the most lucrative part of the deal, has been transferred to Hammam, he may walk away from Cardiff City much like he did when he was in charge of Wimbledon. Hammam, it will be remembered, sold Wimbledon's old Plough Lane ground for £8m and his share in the south London club for £28m. Wimbledon is now perilously close to going out of business. Surely lightning can't strike twice?

Guard room

Who'd have thought Home Secretary David Blunkett would have averted Britain's smallest strike? Six Sheffield security guards in the Department for Work and Pensions voted to strike after being transferred to the private sector. As they downed tools Blunkett stepped in; his Home Office department is now employing the guards.

In his cups?

New Labour's conversion to rugger or 'the peoples' game', as our leader might describe it, is truly inspiring. Strange that just a few weeks ago distaste was shown in Number 10 to anyone expressing enthusiasm for the World Cup Down Under.

Bet on line

The first betting office is opening at a mainline station. Ladbrokes now has a branch at Paddington station, so punters can take a gamble on how late they'll get home.